Cyclical migraine

[Emma]

I was just wondering if any other migraine suffer's had pinpointed their migraine as being hormone related?

I've been tracking my migraines for 4 months, although have suffered with them since I was 18, infrequently (ie once a year) at first to now, ten years later, frequently that it is almost unbearable.

I get a mild-moderate one around ovulation and then 4-5 moderate-severe in a week pre-menstrally, I literally feel like I"m dying with them, give me childbirth any day!

The only time I've been free of migraine is when I"m pregnant, I"ve had 5 pregnancies with 2 live births, the others ended in late miscarriage. but staying pregnant to be migraine free is not an option!

I've tried hormonal contraception pills which seens to make the migraines much worse, I currently have Mirena IUS in place and have noticed the aura being a lot worse with my migraines.

I just don't know what to do! Zomig does work, but it is so expensive! I can't use NSAID's as had a perforated stomach ulcer 6 months ago, so using solphedine, I might aswell chew smarties!

I just know where to turn! I don't l know if seeing a consultant specialising in Migraine is going to do anything considering I know whats causing them, Zomig work relatively well and hormone contraception makes them worse!

I'd aprreciate hearing from someone else who has experienced the same, and if anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated!

MY husband is a medical professional and he is sick and tired of my 'headaches', he doesn't want to know, doesn't want to help, which is extremely hard considering he has long hours in work and I have to struggle through the day and care for 2 small children while banishing light from the kitchen and running to the bathroom to be sick from the migraine!(the other reason I don't take the Zomig when I should, I get sleepy and dizzy with it which makes me unable to drive and I worry about falling asleep while wwatching the children or if I wa scooking for them.

[admin]

Dear Emma,

Sounds like you are having an extremely hard time of it. Just to let you know that you are most definitely not alone in experiencing hormonal migraine. About 60% of female migraineurs experience an increased number of attacks around the time of their period. Also, about 10% of women only suffer from migraine at this time - known as pure menstrual migraine. How the menstrual cycle and migraine are linked is still unclear. However, the most likely explanation is that falling levels of oestrogen and prgesterone affect the normal workings of the central nervous system and the regulation of the brain chemical serotonin, thereby triggering an attack. Some doctors will recommend that women wear a hormonal replacement patch - maybe this is something you could talk to your GP about.

Also, if you suffer from the migraine aura you should be careful as to what type of contraception you use. If you begin to suffer from aura after you start on a particular type of contraception or your aura worsens, this medication should be discontinued immediately. Also, if you are a smoker and suffer from migraine with aura, the combined oral contraceptive should not be taken.

Maybe you could consider undergoing some complementary therapies if you are finding that the medication is not suitable. Also, you should watch your intake of OTC meds as this can lead to Medication Overuse Headache - a chronic daily headache caused by the medication.

If you need any further information please let us know. We have stacks of info on Migraine in Women and Hormonal Migraine that we can send you. We also have a publications list available online. Have a look and if there is anything that interests you, just send an email to info@migraine.ie and well get it out to you immediately.

[217]

Dear Emma

I also suffer from Hormonal Migraine. I aslo take Zomig and like you find it makes me very tired and sleepy but it does work. I would get migraine for 3 to four days the week before a period and sometimes during ovulation. The pain use to be very severe but I have started having Acupuncture and have noticed an improved in the pain. It now is a dull pain most of the time but I would still have to take a Zomig. I had tried Acupuncture years ago and did not find it a help but this time round it seems to be doing something. I have given it up for a while and noticed that the pain get more severe while not having it. I do not have any children but I do not know how you manage when yo have a Migraine because all you want to do is lie down and die. Maybe try the acupuncture it is expensive at first but you might get it down to a manageable level as in maintenance to keep migrain at bay.

And yes the Zomig costs a fortune.


Keep well

Clare

[Emma]

Thank you for your replies and my apologies for not replying sooner.

Since my post I have had the Mirena taken out and I have noticed a difference in the severity of my migrane but not the frequency.
I am very happy to use ferility awareness methods as contraception but my DH is definately not. I was at the GP today, and DH was with me and she said absolutely no way was I to go on the OCP.

I"m not a smoker, and eat healthily. I would be very sleep deprived which I feel contributes a lot but that is kids for you.

Clare, very often I am curled up on the couch feeling like dying would be so much easier than the pain while the children watch a DVD on the quietest setting possible.

AT one stage I was getting a lot of headaches together and taking solphedeine and like admin and my husband said I was getting rebound headaches from the pain relief so just went a month with no pain relief for headaches and they went.

Anyway, that's were I"m at now. We plan to have another baby next year so I will be swapping migrane for hyperemesis for 9 months.....I don't know which is worse